Vamp-folding machine.



No. 65l,797. Patented Jun' |2, I900. a. F. DUNN.

VAWMP FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application fll'ed Aug. 12, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

.(No Model.)

G. F. DUNN. VAMP FOLDING MACHINE.

(Applicatio n filed. Aug. '12, 1399.

Patented lune [2, I900.

8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

NVE'NTUR:

, Patented June :2, 1900. a. r. DUNN.

VAMP FOLDING MACHINE.

(Applicaltion filed Aug. 12, 1699.)

s Sheets-sheet -4.

, Us /////////A INyENTU RI M:

(No Model.)

m. 65l,797. Patented lune l2, I900.

a. F. DUNN.

VAMP FOLDING MACHINE. (Application filed Aug. 12, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

' (No Model.)

\MTN E5555:

m: Norms PETERS co, PHOTO-LITMCL, WASHINGTON. o, c.

- No. 65l,797. Patented June l2, I900.

G. F. DUNN.

VAMP FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 12, 1899.)

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Shed 6.

WITNEEEEEI NVENTEIR? UNITED STAT S" PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. DUNN, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO THE BROOKTON SUPPLY (30., OF SAME PLACE.

VAMP-FOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N 0. 651,797, dated June 12, 1900.

Application filed August 12, 1899. Serial No. 727,011. (No'modeLl TO all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. DUNN, of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vamp-Folding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for folding vamps of boots and shoes. Owing to the shape of the inner edges of Vamps, the same being deeply indented or rentrant, the op eration of folding these inner edges has heretofore been almost wholly performed by hand,

.difficulty having been experienced in designing a machine to properly perform the work. By means of my present invention, however, I provide a practical machine for the purpose of folding the reentrant curved inner edges of Vamps or other like articles or pieces of material having rentrant edges.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and arrangement which I shall now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view, partly broken away, of a vamp-folding machine constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 represents aside elevation. Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal section. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 repre- 'sent transverse sectional views, on an enlarged scale, on the line 5 5 of Fig. 5, representingdilferent positions of certain of the operative parts. Figs. 8 and 9 represent sections taken above the folder, showing the parts of the folder in different positions. Fig. 10 represents a detail perspective view, partly broken away and with parts removed, of the former and adjacent portions of the machine. Fig. 11 represents a detail perspective of the fore part of the former. Fig. 12 represents a detail perspective view, partly broken away, of the folder-plates separated. Fig. 13 represents an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 13 13 of Fig. 8. Fig. 14 represents a reverse plan view of a folded vamp.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all. of the figures.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings I employ a table upon which the work is supported, a former which is brought down upon the work and clamps the same to the table, and a folder which is first given a vertical movement transversely across the edge of the former-blade from below the latter and then a lateral or horizontal movement over the top of said blade, whereby the edge of the work is folded around the edge of the blade, and mechanism for withdrawing the former-blade after the fold is made, and holding the work under pressure between the folder and the edge'of the worksupporting table. These parts are commonly found in folding-machines of certain wellparts, and in certain other details of con-.

struction and arrangement.

In the drawings, a designates a bed or table provided with suitable supporting-legs a a and planed 0E flat on top to form a worksupporting table. The middle portion of .the table a is grooved at a and undercut, and in the groove is fitted a sliding plate a held in position by a screw a. The middle part of this plate a is cut out and its edge is substantially horseshoe or U shaped, like the inner edge of a vamp, and in practice a number of such plates having their openings of ditferentsizes to correspond to difierent-sized Vamps will be provided and interchangeably fitted to the table.

a is a frame or bracket bolted to the under side of the table a and having at its lower end a bearing for a rod 12. The latter is normally elevated by the tension of a spring I) and is connected by a connecting member b with an operating-treadle. At the upper end of the rod 1) above the table a is secured a former-carrier 19 which supports a two-part former b b. The latter consists of rigid frame-pieces, to the under sides of which are attached the former-blades b b, whose front ends overlap, as shown in Fig; 11, and pro vide a continuous inner edge having the form of the inner edge of a vamp. Normally the former is elevated above the work-supporting table,as shown in Fig. 3, so that the work can be readily inserted. When the work has.

i been inserted and properly positioned, the

' clamping the work to the table.

former is brought down upon the work by depressing the treadle connected with the rod 1), A device is provided for holding the former depressed upon the work; so that the operator can remove his foot from the treadle, said device being best shown in Fig. 4 The rod 1) near its upper end is provided with a slotb, hav-- ing an inclined lower edge 2, and a locking key or slideb is provided and fittedlto slide into and out of the slot 125, the said key having acomplernental inclined edge 3. A handlever b fulcrumed at b to the under side of the table a and projecting out to one side.

thereof, as shown in Figs. 8 and 0, is pivotally attached to the key or slide b by a pin 19 and is employed to withdraw said key from the slot 1). sion which normally draws the key 19 into' the slot 19 and when the rod 1) and the former are depressed such action will automatically take place, and the key will lock the rod in this depressed position and prevent its return bythe action of the spring 17 rod band accommodates the machine to thick or thin Vamps. The pivot-pin I9 is extended upwardly through a slot 0 in the lower plate c ofthe folder-carrier hereinafter described,

stems b and block b in place.

with which slot the pin has a guiding en gagement, serving to guide the movements of the key 12 I The frame portions of the former b b are provided with crossed stems or lugs b b,- which are fitted to slide in diagonally-crossed guiding-grooves in the former-carrier 19 as illustrated-in Figs. 10 and 2, and said stem seen that the manipulation of the lever b" imdirections.

parts a reciprocatory movement to the parts of" the former b b, which takes place in a forward and outward direction by reason of the diagonal arrangement of the guides, the parts of the former moving diagonally inlopposite This movement is utilized in adjusting the former and in removing it from ends ofthe former-blades b b are madevery' thefold'of the-work; The overlapping front thin, and their inner edges make a practically-continuous working edge whichcan be expanded or contracted by the described reeiprocatorydiagonal movement of the former p r s-V of the former is limited bymeans of astop A spring Z9 exerts a ten-' v The inclined edges 2 and 3 make a frictional lock, which acts at any point in the descent ofthe 0 with a pin 0, carried by a lever 0 The inwardor contracting movement.

screw 1), adapted to form an abutment for the sliding blockb to limit the rearward move ment of said block, said screw being carried by an upturned ear on the carrier 12 and locked by a nut I9 3. The shape-and size of the curve formed by the inner edges of the former-blades b b determine that of the vamp, so that for Vamps of different sizes the screw-top Z2 is given different adjustments. I show a gage in the drawings for regnlatingthe adjustment of the former todifferent-sized Vamps, said gage consisting of a pointer I), attached to the block b? andprojecting out through a slot in the top plate b and a scale on one edge of said slot, over whichthe end of the pointer passes, as seen'in Figs. 1 and 2.

The folder which cooperates with the former in folding the work I have herein shown as composed of two plates 0 o laid side by side and held between the lower and upper plates 0 c composing the folder-carrier. Said plates are spaced apart by shouldered studs 0 c, Fig. 13, and connected by screws 0 c. On the under side of the lower plate 0 of the folder-carrier is secured a bracket 0, suitably guided between the sides of the frame a and engaged underneath by the forked inner end of a lever c", pivoted at e to said frame. A treadle (not shown) connected by 2.- connecting member 0 to the lever c is employed to oscillate said lever andelevate the bracket 0 and folder-carrier. The said parts are adapted to be depressed when pressure is removed from the treadle by means of aspring 0 interposed between the bracket c and a. fixed plate'c The upward movement of the foldercarrier is limited by astop-screw 0 adapted to abut the under side of the lever 0 i The two plates 0 a composing the folder are provided with oppositely-arranged-diagonal slots 0 cioccupied by the vertical studs 0 c and are connected by a pair of links 0 The latter is f ulcrumedat 0 5 to the under side of the table a and projects out to one side thereof, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The oscillation of the lever 0 by the operator reciprocates the folder-plates 0 0 the latter moving forward and outward diagonally in opposite directions, as will, be seen by comparing Figs. .'SV and 9, which show, respectively, the contracted and expanded positions of the folder.

The continuity of the front end of the folder is preserved by providing one of the plates 0 with a pair of thin horizontal plates 0 0 overlapping the other folder-plate c on its upper and lower sides, and providing the latter with a thin vertical plate c ioverlapping the front edge of the first said folder-plate 0 The folder-pl'atesare guided with respect to each other by means of sliding dowels or guide-pins 0 0 attached to one of the plates and fitted to slide in holes in the other plate.

0 0 are vertical gage-strips attached to the upper sides of the folder-plates 0 0 near the outer edges of the latter,.and adapted to act as gages to position the inner edges of the IIO vamp when the latter is first placed on the work-supporting table. The under sides of the folder'plates c c are provided with similar gage-strips 0 e in a corresponding position, which operate, as represented in Fig. 7, to prevent the folded edge of the work from uncurling inwardly.

The machine operates as follows: A vamp, preferablyhavin g the frontportion of its inner edge snipped in the usual manner, is placed upon the work-supporting table a, when the parts are positioned as represented in Figs. 3 and 4, with the former Z9 Z9 elevated above the table and the'folder o c depressed, so that" its upper surface is located flush with or slightly below the surface of the table. The inner edges of the vamp are then brought to the gage-strips 0 0 so that said inner edges slightly overlap the folder, and the treadle connected with the rod 1) is depressed, so as to bring the former b b down upon the vamp, as represented in Fig. 5, so as to clamp the vamp to the table, the former being locked in clamping position by the action of the key if. The treadle connected with the lever c is then depressed, so as to elevate the folder to the level of the former-blades b 12 The hand lever is then thrown forward, so as to extend the parts of the folder horizontally over the formerblades,whereby the edge of the vamp is folded around said blades, as seen in Fig. 6. I provide a device whereby the latter part of the throw of the lever e is utilized in elevating the former slightly, so as to relieve its pressure on the work and permit its ready withdrawal from the fold, said arrangement consisting, as shown, of a lever d, pivoted at d to the lever 0 and having a stopd adapted to be engaged by the lever 0 As the latter moves forward it engages the stop 61 and gives a slight throw to the lever b causing the locking-key b to be slightly withdrawn and permitting the spring 11 to elevate the former a short distance. The lever 12 is then thrown forward to expand the former and withdraw its blades 11 b from the fold in the work, as shown in Fig. 7, after which the pressure on the treadle controlling the lever c is released and the folder is allowed to descend and hold the foldunder pressure between the under side of its plates 0 c and thework-support ing table. After. remaining under pressure a sufficient period of time the foregoing operations are reversed to bring the parts back to their normal positions and the folded vamp is removed and a fresh one subjected to the operation of the machine. The completed vamp U is shown in Fig. 14.

It will be understood that any of the wellknown accessories to'folding-machines, such as steam heating or other heating devices for applying heat to the machine to set the fold may be employed in connection with my improved vamp-folding machine; but as such accessories form no part of my present invention I have not illustrated the same.

Having thusexplained the nature of my invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, though without attempt ing to set forth all of the forms in which it 1. In a vamp-folding machine, a former, a

curved folder adapted to fold the edge of the work over said former and composed of a plurality of parts or sections, means for expanding and contracting said folder, and means for preserving the continuity of the folder at the junction of its parts, when ex panded.

2. In a vamp-folding machine, a former, a curved folder, adapted to fold the edge of the work over the former and composed of a plurality of overlapped parts or sections, and means for expanding and contracting said folder.

3. In a vamp-folding machine, a former, a

folder having a U shaped working edge adapt ed to fold the edge of. the work over the former,and composed of two parts overlapped at their ends, and means for imparting diagonal movements in opposite directions to said parts;

4. In a vamp-folding machine,afoldercom posed of a plurality of parts having overlapping vertical and horizontal edge portions, and means for expanding and contracting said folder.

5. In a vamp-folding machine, a folder composed of two plates, a carriertherefor, means for reciprocating said plates with respect to the carrier, means for guiding them on the carrier diagonally in opposite directions during their reciprocation, and coacting guiding members on the respective plates controlling the relation of the plates.

6. In a vamp-folding machine, a sectional former, means for moving its parts simultaneously in opposite directions, and a folder adapted to fold the edge of the work over said former.

7. In a vamp-folding machine, a sectional former,means for moving its parts diagonally forward and outward in opposite directions to Withdraw them from the fold in the work,

and a folder adapted to fold the edge of the work over the former.

8. In a vamp-folding machine, a two-part former, means for simultaneously imparting outward movements in opposite directions to the parts of said former'to withdraw it from the fold in the work, and a folder adapted to fold the edge of the work over the former.

9. In a vamp-folding machine, a two-part former, means for imparting diagonal forward and outward movements in opposite directions to the parts of said former to withdraw it from the fold in the work, and a folder adapted to fold the edge of the work over the former.

10. In a vamp-folding machine, a two-part former, a movable carrier therefor, means for simultaneously reciprocating the parts of 4 p I I I 651,797

the'folder with respect to the, carrier, oppofold in the work, and a folder adapted tofold.

the edge of. the work over the former.

11. In avampt-folding m'achin'e,.atwopart former, asuitably-gnided reciprocatory part and meansfor moving'the same, links conmeeting the former parts withsaid reciprocatory partwhereby the'former parts may be reciprocated', means for guiding the former parts diagonally in opposite directions dnring their reciprocation, and afolder adapted to fold the edge of the work over the former.

12; In a vamp-folding madhine,atw o-part former, amovable carrier therefor, a reciprocatory part and means for. moving the same mounted on said carrier and connected. with the former parts, whereby the latter maybe reciprocat'ed, means for guiding said former parts diagonally, in opposite directions diurformer composed of a plurality of parts or'sections, means for expanding and contracting said former, means for preserving the continuity of the former at. the junction of its parts, when expanded, and a folderada-pted to fold the edge of, the work over the former.

14.- In avamp-foldin g machine, a U -shaped formercomposed' of two parts overlapped at their ends, means for imparting diagonal movements in v opposite directions to said parts, and a folder adapted to fold the edge 15; In a vamp-folding machine, a curved former composed of a plurality of partsor sections, means for expanding and contracting said former to adjust and operate it, an ad justable stop to regulate the size of thezform'er when contracted, and a folder adaptedtofold the edge of the work over the former,

16. In a vamp-folding machine, a curvedformer com posed of aplurality of parts orsection's, means for expanding and contracting said former to adjust and operate it, an ad'- j ustable stop to regulate the-size of the former when contracted, a gage or index to de'termine the adjustment of said stop, anda folder 3 adapted tofold the edge of the work over the j former.

:17, In a vamp-folding machine, a two-part U-shaped former, a carrier therefor, 'oppo= sitely-arranged diagonal guides for guiding theformer parts'on' the ca'rriena block mount- 1 ed to slide on the carrier, and'connected with theformer parts, means for moving saidiblock, whereby the former parts are recipro'cated and the former expanded and contracted, an i adjustable stop adapted toabut the said block to limit the: contractilev movement of the former, a-pointer carried by said block and an index arranged on the carrier in proximity to 5 said pointer.

18. In'a vamp-folding machine,'awork-sup= porting table, a clamp adapted to descend on said tableto clamp the work to: the table, a spring or equivalent normally elevating said clamp, means for depressing the clamp, an

automatically-acting lockadapted to holdsaid clamp depressed against the work, said lock lhaving provisions foraultomatic adjustment to accommodate thee-lamp to the thickness of the work, and means for retracting said :lock to permit the elevation of-the clamp. ing their reciprocation, and a folder. adapted v to fold the edge of the workaround. the former;

13. In a vamp-folding machine, a curved 19. In avamp-folding machine, a work-supporting table, a former adapted to descend upon the work and clamp the same to the table, 3. verticalrodisupporting saidformer, and

' having a locking-abutment, a spring adapted to elevate the rod,-a spring-actuatedkey having'alocking-abut'ment adapted to cooperate with theiabutment on the rod tolock the rod automatically when the latter is depressed,

'therehy holding the former against the work,

said l'ocking-abutments beinginclined, to accoinmodate the position of the former to the thickness of the work,- and means for retract- :ing said key to release therod.

of the work oyer the former.

20. In avamp-foldingmachine,a'work-supporting table, a former adapted to descend upon the work and clamp the sameto the table, a spring or equivalent normally operating' to; elevate the former, meansfor depressing the former, an automatic lock for holding the former depressed upon the work, a

fOldGlQJDGLHS forprojecting said folder over the formerto foldthe work, and mechanism actuated by said means for retracting said lock and releasing'the former.

too 

